AFSPA Partially Withdrawn from Arunachal Pradesh
After 32 years, the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, which gives special powers to security forces, was partially removed from three of nine districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
AFSPA stands for the Armed Forces Special Powers, Act. This law enables the Indian Parliament to grant special powers to the Indian Armed Forces in disturbed areas. The law can be enforced only after the Central or State government declares an area disturbed.This law is currently active in Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
AFSPA gives the Indian Armed Forces the powers to arrest, the right to shoot to kill, and to occupy or destroy property in the disturbed areas. It is extremely controversial. Many have called said that the law violates Human Rights.
A review of the security in Arunachal Pradesh's six districts was conducted to determine the inspect the security situation.After 32 years, this law has been removed from 3 of the 9 districts in Arunachal Pradesh. The law will remain in areas near the Myanmar border.Last year, AFSPA was completely removed from Meghalaya because of an improvement in the security situation. In J&K this law was passed in 1990, and has remained ever since. Recently the Indian National Congress said that if they win the Lok Sabha Elections, they will make many changes to the AFSPA law. This has lead to a huge political controversy.
